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Hope Mills board votes 3-2 to pursue charter amendment creating four-year staggered commissioner terms
Summary
At a special meeting, the Town of Hope Mills Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution of intent (R-2025-014) to consider amending the town charter to establish four-year staggered terms for commissioners; supporters cited continuity, opponents said voters already rejected the idea.
The Town of Hope Mills Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to adopt a resolution of intent to consider amending the town charter to create four-year staggered terms for commissioners.
Chancellor Buckland, the town manager, and town attorney Dan Stanford briefed the board on the legal process required under North Carolina law, saying the board must adopt a resolution of intent, hold a public hearing and then consider an ordinance; the hearing must be scheduled within the statutory timeline and the town clerk must file a certified copy of any charter amendment with state authorities.
Supporters told the board longer terms would provide stability and continuity. "You can't expect people to learn a job in 1 year," said a commissioner (S4), arguing that two-year terms force elected officials to focus on re-election rather than long-term projects. Another commissioner (S5) said that the need to complete multi-year strategic plans and retain staff motivated a change of position and support for four-year terms. A third backer (S3) said staggered terms would reduce the disruption that follows full-board turnover.
Opponents countered that citizens previously rejected the same proposal and that the board should respect that outcome. One commissioner (S7) noted the idea had been on a past ballot and failed, and another (S8) said repeating the question frequently is inappropriate.
The motion to adopt resolution R-2025-014 was made by a commissioner (S3) and seconded; the motion carried 3-2. The transcript records the tally but does not provide a roll-call breakdown by name.
Town staff and the attorney clarified that the resolution of intent gives the public notice of the board's consideration and that small details — such as whether the mayor would serve a four-year term or remain on two-year cycles — could be refined after public comment. The board set a public hearing on the matter for June 30 at 6:00 p.m. to gather public input before any ordinance is introduced.
Next steps: the board will hold the public hearing and then, at a subsequent regularly scheduled meeting, decide whether to adopt an ordinance to amend the charter or pursue another route consistent with state law. If adopted and not subject to a valid petition, the charter changes could take effect at the November 2025 election cycle.
